Diana Nayonjo shares her interests on joining UTAMU Rotaract Club

The newly installed President of Rotaract Club of Uganda Technology And Management University (RUTAMU), Diana Nayonjo is ready to usher new members into the club.

With most of the members having graduated and transiting to other clubs, Ms. Nanyonjo says her focus is to build a new membership. “My biggest focus this year is to build membership of this club. I want to induct mostly first year students into the club ad inspire many as the 2018/19 Rotary international theme: Be an Inspiration.”

Ms. Nanyonjo was installed the 2018/19 RUTAMU President at a lavish ceremony held at Hotel Africana on 21st June 2018. The UTAMU News team had a one on one with her and this is what she had to say;-

Why did you join Rotary?

At first, I was actually dodging the invitations I kept on receiving to join the Rotaract club of UTAMU  for just fellowships, after about two visits, IPP Arabn and President Sarah started taking me to visit other Rotarct clubs around Kampala. Then I realized actually rotaract was bigger than the RUTAMU fellowships at campus. I must admit I had fun during these visits, I was exposed to the many welcoming people In Rotary and also I liked how people kept knowing each other like very good friends, everyone greeting Sarah and Arban.

The experience was good and when the request to be inducted in Rotary came about, I was glad to honor it. By the time I joined, I knew less about Rotaract but One thing I was sure about is that I was in for a good deal. I can say through Roatarct , my professional and leadership skills have been molded,  Rotaract has instilled in me to understand how to always present myself to people, the opportunity to serve community, Rotaract fellowships are my stress reliever in the evening after a long day, there is free knowledge gained from the various fellowship topics, the various opportunities to travel different parts of the world as we reach out to communities. Basically anyone who knows me knows I’m so passionate about Rotaract and I could talk about it the whole day.

2. Many people don’t understand rotary, to a lay man, what is rotary or rotaract all about?

Rotary is a global network of about 1.22 million people from all over the world, all continents and all races and tribes, male and female where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

It’s grouped into Interact which is for secondary schools, Rotaract for ages between 18 and 30, then finally Rotary for 30 years and above.

Rotary has been in existence for 110 years while Rotaract is celebrating 50 years of existence this year. Rotary is an avenue where people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end.

As Rotary members we believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues and get involved to

• Promote peace
• Fight disease
• Provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
• Save mothers and children
• Support education
• Grow local economies

3. What made you want to take on the task of becoming president?

Leadership comes from God and when I nominated and finally was voted, I didn’t turn down the opportunity. Also after serving in the various posts on the board, it’s time I move on to the next step since the first goal of Rotaract is to develop leadership and professional skills.

4. Elected as a president, what do you think you will do different from the previous presidents or you will contribute to the community at large?

I take this opportunity to appreciate all the past presidents of this club, they have done a great job to guide this club to this stage where are even recognized as the Most outstanding institutional based club in the Uganda and Tanzania all round. My biggest focus this year is to build membership of this club. Currently most of our members have graduated and should be transiting to other clubs. I hope that in this year, we establish a step on how to induct mostly first year students into the club ad inspire many as the Rotary international Theme 2018/19: Be an Inspiration.

5. Where do you see RUTAMU a year from now?

Currently the club is doing well, but we can always maintain our achievement s and even do better. A year from now, i hope we a reasonable membership comprising of mainly first year students  and keep sounding all thought out through our PR.

6. From inception, what impact has RUTAMU done for the community?

We have participated in various projects, from painting a zebra crossing for Kiswa health center, we moved on to upgrading the library and computer labaratory for Kiswa primary School, this rotary year, we held our project at  Bukasa Primary School where we constructed an incinerator, planted fruit trees to help with fencing, taught about hand washing and menstrual hygiene. We were also able to donate re-usable sanitary wear and a few scholastic materials.

We also conducted a blood donation at UTAMU and participated in many country and district projects plus other clubs projects including our Mother club the Rotary club of Kampala Day Break.

7. What plans does RUTAMU have in store for the community this year?

This year, we shall still go back to Bukasa primary School for phase two where we intend to plant flower trees, construct a fence and also upgraded the school library by providing furniture through book shelves, tables and chairs as well as donate a few text books if resources allow.

8. How would you raise the awareness of RUTAMU to the community?

Through our projects, we are always able to raise awareness and also the use of various media platforms.

9. What is your philosophy in life?

I always want to give whatever I do my extra best and I also live for truth, honesty and integrity.

10. How will you be able to balance work and rotary activities?

Rotaract does not collide with work at any one moment, working hours are from 8 to 5pm, rotaract activities for example fellowship are usually early morning 7 to 8am, 1m to 2pm and then after 5pm. Other Rotaract activities happen over the weekend.